Outside the city of Lemesos the restored Kolossi Castle towers over a landscape of vineyards. The castle was built by the Hospitallers (the Order of St John of Jerusalem), who were granted land here in 1210, and for a while this was their headquarters. The castle was restored in 1933 by the British. Close by is a sugar factory (Cyprus was once one of the world's biggest producers of sugar). There are also plenty of citrus orchards in the area.

Further along the coast and slightly inland, Pafos has almost escaped the commercial development of tourism and among the souvenir shops you'll find the ruins of Saranta Kolones, a Lusignian fortress destroyed by an earthquake in the 13th century. It's a very ruined ruin, mostly fallen columns and sewer tunnels. The Tombs of the Kings, 2km north of Kato Pafos, are a warren of fascinating tombs carved into the soft rock of the sea-cliff. Pafos' most famous sight is its mosaics, originally laid down in the 3rd century as floors for Roman nobles.

The Akamas Peninsula, on the west coast, is one of the last wild and unspoiled places on the Cypriot coast. The landscape is a patchwork of barren rock and lush vegetation, with a wide variety of flora and fauna, including some rare species. It's a great destination for walkers, with a network of paths criss-crossing the peninsula. The Baths of Aphrodite are at the start of these trails. Polis itself is about the only southern beach resort that caters to independent travellers. Set among citrus orchards and surrounded by spectacular scenery, Polis is a charming and serene base for exploring the surrounding area. It's also a great place to hire a mountain bike, motorbike or car.

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